Kamila Valieva

Valieva at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup gala

Valieva began skating in 2009 in RSDUSSHOR in Kazan. Her first coach was Ksenia Ivanova, then later she was coached by Marina Kudriavtseva and Igor Lyutikov, then Natalia Dubinskaya.[3] When she turned 6 she moved to Moscow and started training in SSHOR 'Moskvich'. Although the girl in contrast with her team mates obviously stood out, there was not much progress and her mother wanted her to quit figure skating. But before doing so, they decided to switch skating clubs and tryout at Sambo-70, where Eteri Tutberidze decided to allow Valieva to join her group.

In the 2018–19’ season, prior to her international debut, recordings of Valieva's short program set to Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt, and inspired by Pablo Picasso's painting ‘Girl on a Ball’ received worldwide attention. Among other victories that season, she won the Russian Younger Age Championships ahead of training mate, Sofia Akatieva and Sofia Samodelkina. It was later announced that she would keep her short program for her international debut in the upcoming season.

Valieva's international debut came in late August 2019 at a 2019–20 ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) competition in Courchevel, France. Ranked third in the short program and first in the free skate, she won the gold medal ahead Wi Seo-yeong of South Korea and teammate and training partner Maiia Khromykh.[4] At this competition, Valieva became only the second female ever to land quadruple toe loop in competition.[5] Her total score at the event was the fourth highest score achieved by a ladies' single skater on the junior level, behind her teammates Alexandra Trusova, Anna Shcherbakova, and Alena Kostornaia. Valieva also became the fourth junior lady to score above 200 points under the current GOE (Grade of Execution) system.

One month later, at the 2020 JGP Russia, she placed first in both programs with personal best scores to take the title ahead of compatriots Ksenia Sinitsyna and Viktoria Vasilieva. She attempted two quadruple toe loops in the free skate for the first time, landing one. With two gold medals, she qualified in first place to the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final in Turin, Italy.

Prior to the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final in December, a minor injury prevented Valieva from training the quadruple toeloop jump. She entered the final as a co-favorite for the title along with Alysa Liu of the United States. After placing fourth in the short program, Valieva delivered a clean free skate to take the title ahead of Liu, who dropped from first place in the short program after under-rotating one of her triple Axels and both of her quad Lutzes, and training mate Daria Usacheva.

At 13 years old, Valieva was too young to enter the senior-level 2020 Russian Championships in December. In early February, Valieva instead competed at the 2020 Russian Junior Championships, which she won after placing first in both programs ahead of training mates Sofia Akatieva and Daria Usacheva. She once again included two quadruple toeloop jumps in her free skate, after recovering from her previous injury, stepping out on one and landing another in combination with a double toeloop. After the competition, she was named to the Russian team for the 2020 World Junior Championships in along with teammates Usacheva, who placed third, and Khromykh, who placed fifth, as silver medalist Akatieva and fourth-place finisher Sofia Samodelkina were too young to be eligible.

The 2020 World Junior Championships were again seen by many as a showdown between Valieva and Alysa Liu, who had recently defended her title at the senior-level 2020 U.S. Championships. Valieva placed first in the short program ahead of Lee Hae-in of South Korea and Usacheva, setting a new personal best. Her score of 74.92 points was the second highest short program score ever for a junior lady, only behind training partner Alena Kostornaia's short program at the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix Final.[6] In the free skate, she performed similarly to the Russian Junior Championships, stepping out on her opening quadruple toeloop and landing all other jumps cleanly, including a second quadruple toeloop in combination. She won the title and become the new Junior World Champion ahead of Usacheva and Liu. Valieva remarked afterward that "there was a little mistake on the toe loop, but basically I am pleased with my performance."[7]

Valieva skated at the 2020 Russian Test Skates in Moscow, showcasing her new programs for the 2020–21 season. She executed a quad toe combination in her free skate.[8] She competed at the second stage of the Russian Cup. There, she skated clean, placing first in the short program, but placed third for the free program, with several unexpected mistakes, causing her to obtain second place, winning the silver medal.[8] She later competed at the fifth stage of the Russian Cup. There, she placed first in the short program with one step out on a triple Axel attempt. In the free program, she also placed first with two quadruple toe loops (one in combination), with only one mistake on a triple Lutz. She took first place, winning the gold medal with one of the highest total score in Russian domestic competitions.[9]

Making her senior Russian Championships debut, Valieva placed second in the short program despite falling on her attempted triple Axel.[10] Second in the free skate as well with two clean quads landed and despite an underrotated triple flip, and she won the silver medal.[11]

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. Personal bests highlighted in bold.

Valieva at the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. Personal bests highlighted in bold.